Many mums and dads are never offered professional help or guidance on feeding their children after they’ve left hospital. As a result, they’re often confused about when to start their baby on solids and what to feed them when they do. Sometimes you just don’t know who to ask to make sure you’re getting the latest information.
We’ve included some guidelines here, though please note it should not be substituted for advice from your own GP.
Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend starting solid foods half way through your child’s first year. Until around that time, the experts say that breast milk (or formula equivalent) should be your baby’s main source of nutrients, as it will help best with their early growth and development.
Every baby has different needs, and you should consult your GP or health care professional for their recommendations on when it’s best for your baby should begin with solids.
When they do start, foods need to be introduced gradually to the palette, starting with the most bland and easy-to-digest flavours such as potato, carrot and pear. Feed a small amount to your baby either after or between milk feeds. Foods should be pureed – that means smooth with very few or no lumps, as well as being warm and sloppy.
Don’t expect your baby to like everything straight away. Sometimes it can take many tries before your baby will eat certain foods, but make sure you persevere.
| Foods to encourage |
Foods to avoid |
Carrot
Potato
Sweet Potato
Pumpkin
Apple
Pear
Banana
Iron-fortified baby cereal
|
Salt
Sugar
Eggs
Nuts
Foods containing gluten, such as wheat, oats & barley
|
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According to studies done by the World Health Organisation, from around seven to nine months a baby’s feeding behaviour will have progressed to chewing. Solids should be a fixed part of your baby’s diet. All babies develop at difference speeds but sometime during this period your baby’s first teeth will come through. As they do, you should allow your baby to experiment with different textures such as rusks and rice cakes.
This is also a good time to introduce lumpier textures. Your baby will be able to sit without support, which allows them to better manage thicker foods in their mouths. Grated or mashed food added to a smooth puree can be easily digested.
Foods containing gluten are also fine to try, including wheat, oats and barley.
| Foods to encourage |
Foods to avoid |
Breads & cereals
Dairy products
Cooked egg yolks
Fish fillets
Red meat
Chicken
Vegetables
Fruits
Beans & pulses
|
Egg whites
Low-fat dairy food
Nuts
|
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Leading paediatric dietitian, Kate Di Prima, says that food is a divine exploration of the senses for babies and the experience should be made as interesting and as exciting as possible.
From the time most babies taste their first solids at around 6 months, their interest in food could become a life-long love affair – if you play your cards right.
Little Tummy Tucker is an excellent product that you can feel totally confident with. It is well-balanced with appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins to ensure your baby is receiving excellent nutrition to help him or her grow and develop.
In my opinion as a practicing dietitian, many children may not be getting enough of the important nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron and B-group vitamins.
Children need a minimum of 15 to 17 grams of protein a day. Little Tummy Tucker’s well-prepared meals enable proper nutrient absorption and provide substantially more protein, iron and essential B-group vitamins than any other baby and toddler food product I am currently aware of in the market.
In fact, iron, which is vital for your child’s growth, immune system and muscular development, is virtually missing or found only in very small quantities in many of the processed alternatives.
Quality foods with colour, taste, texture and variety are essential elements for developing your child’s palette. No one wants a fussy eater, so help your child to be adventurous by introducing interesting, natural flavours and visually appealing food.
Over-spun and processed foods lack fibre, which leads to poor bowel habits. I see a huge amount of constipated children in my practice – many of whom are not eating enough textured foods and fibre or drinking enough water.
Interestingly, textured food is also very important to developing your child’s teeth, chewing and subsequent speech abilities. Children developing teeth need to be challenged at various intervals with various textures. Most tinned food has no transitional texture at all – more like a uniform custard consistency – which does nothing to advance developmental formation.
As a mother of two I know it is not always possible to provide the sort of meals you wish you had the time to make. Quality baby and toddler food alternatives, such as Little Tummy Tucker, mean you can free yourself from the kitchen – and the guilt – knowing you are still doing the right thing nutritionally by your baby.
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Kate Di Prima has been in private practice for more than 14 years. She is also the mother of two children, Jack, 6 and Rose, 3.
Having children has not only enriched Kate’s life but it has enabled her to experience first-hand the difficulties and pressures of finding and providing healthy interesting meals for the younger members of the family.
Kate’s personal experience combined with her professional standing makes her a fabulous source of knowledge about babies and food.
She has a particular interest in childhood and family eating, and has developed ‘The Ultimate Lunchbox & Dinner Meals for Healthy Kids’.
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Disclaimer:
This information is provided for education purposes only. For further help, please talk with your GP or other health professional to make sure the information is right for your child. More information on feeding your babies and children is also available through the 'Useful Links' tab.